Shock Wave Therapy

The general consensus question at the 2003 AAEP Convention's shock wave therapy table topic was, "How can I make this technology work for my patients?" Scott Swerdlin, DVM, MRCVS, of Palm Beach Equine Clinic in Florida, and Scott McClure, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, of Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, were facilitators. Both have significant experience in using shock wave therapy (SWT) in sport horses.

SWT has been shown to have a significant analgesic effect and therefore is not currently used prior to racing or in sports overseen by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI).

While scientists aren't sure what it is about the pressure waves that stimulates healing, McClure said, "Historically, we can see some neovascularization (new blood supply generated to the damaged areas). There is something happening at the cellular level, and it's dose-dependent